Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Saturday, 28 March 2020

Government

• Government to suspend competition law to support Isle of Wight ferry routesCompetition law to be temporarily suspended to allow ferry operators to maintain a crucial lifeline between the island and the mainland.

BBC News

• Coronavirus: Birmingham Airport mortuary work under wayThe site at Birmingham Airport could be used for at least 1,500 bodies, police say.
• Coronavirus: Aircraft seat manufacturer sheds 330 jobsPortadown-based Thompson Aero Seating says the move was due to the impact of coronavirus.
• Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic to seek bailout in coming daysThe airline is to ask the government for cash to keep going after coronavirus leads to travel slump.

Financial Times

• VW hit by €2bn-a-week cash drainWorld's biggest carmakers reveal costs of pandemic shutting down factories around world
• Trump invokes federal law to compel GM to make ventilatorsCarmaker says it is working around the clock in meeting urgent need for coronavirus gear
• Virgin Atlantic set to ask for state aidRegional carriers are also weighing requests after government rules out broad bailout for the industry 

The Guardian

• Chris Packham begins legal case to halt HS2 amid coronavirus crisisRail contractors accused of using pandemic as cover to hasten ancient woodland destruction. Chris Packham is seeking an urgent injunction to immediately halt HS2's destruction of ancient woodlands as campaigners criticise construction teams for allegedly ignoring the government's physical distancing rules for coronavirus and endangering local people.

The Scotsman

• ScotRail and Lothian Buses to shrink services to 'critical services network'Train and bus operators to focus on transporting key staff such as NHS workers.

The Telegraph

• Birmingham Airport could become coronavirus mortuary for up to 12,000 bodiesA hangar at Birmingham airport is being converted into a temporary mortuary in preparation for thousands of corpses. The airport site is situated next door to a temporary hospital for 5,000 coronavirus patients being constructed inside the Birmingham NEC.
• London lockdown: are Tubes and buses still running - and can I travel out of the city?Boris Johnson has placed London and the rest of the UK into lockdown in an attempt to stop coronavirus spreading in the capital.

Times Online

• Union fears overcrowding when transport services are cut [subscription]]The decision to reduce public transport frequency from next week will lead to overcrowding on buses, trains and trams, a union has said.

City AM

• Oil prices tumble as coronavirus recession loomsOil prices have tumbled as coronavirus containment measures dent demand and the virus spreads rapidly in the US, the world’s The post Oil prices tumble as coronavirus recession looms appeared first on CityAM.
• Virgin Atlantic set to ask for government bailoutVirgin Atlantic is set to ask the UK government for a package of commercial loans and guarantees worth hundreds of The post Virgin Atlantic set to ask for government bailout appeared first on CityAM.
• London's transport is failing the people that need it mostImagine being a key worker tomorrow morning. A twenty-minute wait for the next tube if you manage to get The post London's transport is failing the people that need it most appeared first on CityAM.

Mail Online

• How airlines are denying Britons cash refunds during coronavirus pandemicDozens of UK flight passengers have got in touch with MailOnline over the past 24 hours saying they are only being offered the chance to rebook after their holidays were cancelled.

Birmingham Post

• Rolls-Royce to significantly reduce activity at UK sitesBut the firm's Defence sites will remain operational
• Former Flybe staff urge Government to rescue thousands of jobs in open letterEmployees say it is not too late for them to step in and rescue the airline

Liverpool Echo

• Big changes on Merseyrail services after coronavirus lockdownSome routes have been reduced to hourly services as number of rail staff isolating during pandemic increases

Wales Online

• Cardiff sees big drop in air pollution levels amid lockdownTwo of the most dangerous pollutants have dropped significantly

Leeds Live

• 'Disco Dave' Uber driver quits as fares plummet to just £3 a dayYasar Aziz, who is known to customers as 'Disco Dave', has regretfully had to give up being a taxi driver due to the coronavirus pandemic

Other Regional Press

• New flights coming to Birmingham Airport in 2021Something to look forward to next year

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Coronavirus: UK transport and travel adviceYou must stay at home. You should only leave home for very limited purposes. This is to stop the spread of coronavirus. Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives. Public transport – buses, rail, underground, trams, ferries Only use public transport if you have to. When travelling by public transport: • avoid rush hours and busy times if you can • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin • follow advice on staying away from others • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds • if soap and water are not ...
• Foreign Secretary statement on international cooperation and the coronavirusAt a US-chaired virtual meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers, members of the G7 committed to use their collective power and resources to respond to the “unprecedented” challenge of getting stranded nationals home during the coronavirus pandemic. The Foreign Secretary led the top item on the agenda on coronavirus. Based on joint work by the UK and Germany, G7 Foreign Ministers (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU) agreed 5 critical areas were the priority for international action: 1) Preventing further crises and strengthening resilience of the most vulnera...

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail: Committed to keeping Britain moving As retired signallers are called out of retirement to help keep our country’s railways moving during this pandemic, members of the rail industry have expressed their support for the country’s response. Network Rail’s Commercial and Procurement Director, Clive Berrington told...

Aviation Industry

• Covid-19 and aviation: how should policymakers react, and plan for the future?Coronavirus may prove to be the biggest shock ever seen to the aviation industry. Some airports could close, while airlines are cutting services by 80% or more as a result of travel restrictions and are talking about imminent bankruptcies. Virgin …

Other News Sources

• Transport leaders in the North tell public to leave trains for 'key' workersTRANSPORT for the North, rail operating companies, Network Rail, and the British Transport Police have joined forces to call for the region's railways to be kept free for essential travel only.